Lahiff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of the first people to use the name Lahiff. It comes from in the barony of Guthrie in the county of Angus. The surname Lahiff belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Lahiff family

The surname Lahiff was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, and in Forfar in the Barony of Guthrie. The first recorded member of the Guthrie family was a Guthrie who was sent to France after William Wallace in 1299.

Adam de Guthrie witnessed documents relating to a burgess of Dundee in 1348, and Jon of Guthere was a juror on the marches of Woodwrae in 1388.

"[Guthrie is] a parish, in the county of Forfar, 8 miles (N. W.) from Arbroath. This place confers its name upon the very ancient and distinguished family of the Guthries, one of whom, on the resignation of the guardianship of Scotland by Sir William Wallace, in 1299, and his retirement into France, was sent by the Scottish nobles to solicit the return of that hero, in order to assist his countrymen to expel the English invaders. His descendant, Sir David Guthrie, who was lord high treasurer of Scotland in the reign of James III., purchased from the monks of Arbroath, the church of Guthrie, which had for many years been attached to that abbey, and founded here a collegiate church for a provost and three prebendaries. Sir David Guthrie also erected a spacious and strongly-fortified baronial castle here, which is still entire; and on his decease, the manor passed to his son, Sir Alexander, who, with one of his sons and three of his brothers-in-law, fell in the battle of Flodden Field. " 1

Early History of the Lahiff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lahiff research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1457, 1461, 1479, 1492, 1600, 1612, 1620, 1636, 1649, 1661, 1665, 1676, 1890, 1964 and 1984 are included under the topic Early Lahiff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lahiff Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Lahiff has appeared Guthrie, Guthree, Lahiff, Guttrie and others.

Early Notables of the Lahiff family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir David Guthrie (fl. 1479), Lord Treasurer of Scotland in 1461, the son of Alexander Guthrie of Kincaldrum; John Guthrie (d. 1492), Scottish prelate, Bishop of Ross; William Guthrie (1620-1665), a Scottish Puritan minister and author, best known for his book The Christian's Great Interest; John Guthrie (d. 1649), Scottish...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lahiff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lahiff family to Ireland

Some of the Lahiff family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lahiff migration to Canada +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Lahiff name:

Lahiff Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Catherine Lahiff, aged 10 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but she died on board 2
Mr. Michael Lahiff, aged 8 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but he died on board 2
Mr. Norry Lahiff, aged 15 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but he died on board 2

Lahiff migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lahiff Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Edmund Lahiff, aged 27, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Bee"
Bridget Lahiff, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1860 aboard the ship "Grand Trianon"
Margaret Lahiff, aged 17, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1860 aboard the ship "Grand Trianon"

Contemporary Notables of the name Lahiff (post 1700) +

Craig Lahiff (1947-2014), Australian AFI Award nominated film director
Thomas 'Tommy' Lahiff (1910-1996), Australian rules footballer who played 1935-1944 and coached 1944-1965

The Lahiff Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sto pro veritate
Motto Translation: I stand for the truth

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 83)